ly to remain
a week?"

"No," said Talbot, "I expected to stay much longer."

"Why did you not stay?"

"Because I found on my arrival that the family had left Barcelona."

"Where did they go?"

"I have no idea."

"Were they not expecting you?"

"I supposed that they were expecting me, and I am quite unable to
account for their departure and their failure to meet me."

"And so you set out on your return home?"

"Yes."

"Well," said Lopez, "your story is a little absurd, yet not at all
improbable. I dare say there was a mistake somewhere."

"There must have been--yet I don't know."

"Young sir," said Lopez, after a pause, "you carry your character in
your face. You at least are not a spy. Upon that I would stake my
life. I wish I could say as much for your companion. All
Spaniards--at least all Republicans--would not let a priest off so
easily; but you are different, and I could no more suspect you than I
could suspect the apostle St. John. Senor, you are free; you may go
on your way at once."

"Senor, you are free, and may go on your way at once," repeated
Brooke, as a flush of joy passed over his face. "Go, Talbot, go," he
added earnestly; "go at once!"

But Talbot did not move.

"I am deeply grateful, captain," said she, "but I prefer to remain
with my friend."

"Talbot!" cried Brooke.

"Tell him what I say," was Talbot's calm reply.

"You are mad!" groaned Brooke.

"What is all this?" cried Lopez, angrily. "What does the priest say?"

"The priest says that he will not go," replied Brooke--"that he will
stay by me."

"Oh, he does, does he?" said Lopez. "Well, that's all the better for
you. You'll need him, especially if you persist in your obstinacy."

Brooke translated this, and Talbot listened without a word.

Brooke was now ordered back into the mill, and he went, Talbot
following. On reaching the loft, they both were silent for a long
time. Brooke spoke first.

"Oh, Talbot, Talbot!" he cried, in a reproachful voice, "why didn't
you go? You had the chance."

"Go!" exclaimed Talbot. "What! go and leave you?"

"Of course," said Brooke.

"What! when you have risked your life, and are in such danger of
death, for me? Oh, Brooke, Brooke! Is this, then, your opinion of me?
Can you think me capable of such utter baseness?"

"Talbot," said Brooke, "it was to save your life that I left the
tower, and now you will not save yourself."

"Save myself! save my worthless life! I should scorn